A Sermon Series on 1 Corinthians: A Key to Understand 1 Corinthians – Identity
1 Corinthians 1:1-3
The city of Corinth located in Greece. It is the center of commerce and religion. Main population are retired soldiers, business owners, slaves, and people who participate in idol worship (Venus). Paul planted this church for 18 months.
Paul wrote this letter when he was in Turkey before 55 A.D. The main reason for this letter was because people of this church struggled with division of the church, sexual relationship, misunderstanding about marriage and divorce, food, worship style, and resurrection of Christ. Paul wrote this letter to give a proper way to address these issues. There are 16 chapters.
Identity defines who we are. So identity is important and it relates to our purpose of life, responsibility, and the way we make decisions. Each person has many different identities. We can categorize identify into two:
Christian identity
Social identity: gender, ethnic, status, etc.
If we understand our Christian identity is one of our identities that we have then we try to balance all our identities/responsibilities. These identities compete among each other and we divide percentage to each identity.
If we understand social identity is more important than Christian identity, then we our priorities in life will be very different (prioritize other responsibilities in life first, then think about Christian’s responsibility)
If we understand Christian identity is more important than social identity then we only think about the church and neglect other responsibilities in life. It sounds very spiritual but it has many problems.
We need to understand social identity is in and through Christian identity and all the identities don’t compete, meaning we do all things as Christian. We need to give 100% in all we do as a Christian and do everything for God’s glory. Our Christian identity is the foundation to build other identities in life. We don’t need to deny our other identities.
What is our identity as a Christian? 1 Corinthians 1:1-3: Paul identified himself as an apostle: “I am apostle”. Not everyone can be an apostle. Based on God’s calling, Paul has this identity.
Our identity: (verse 2) “saints” meaning we are sanctified and became Holy not by ourselves but in Christ Jesus and by the blood of Jesus. Our identity is given by Jesus Christ, not something I can achieve or buy.
“We are called” in verse 1 and 2: our identity is determined not from birth or through achievement but by someone who calls us. It’s not about who we think we are or what others think about us, what we did, do, or will do but our identity is hidden in Christ Jesus. We need to find our identity in Jesus.
Through the word “called,” we could define our Christian identity in three ways.
Our identity is to be a listener of God’s voice and calling. If our identity is determined by the one who calls, we need to try to listen to what God is trying to speak to us, instead of focusing on what I feel or think.
Our identity is to be humble. To be humble means to put ourselves under the authority of someone. People in Corinth church didn’t want to put themselves under anyone’s authority. They put themselves higher than everyone else, that’s why they had so many issues. We need to put ourselves under God’s authority. In practical ways, we need to put ourselves under the authority of husband, wife, parents, spiritual leaders, and so on. This is humility, we need to have this attitude
Our identity is to have a fellowship (koinonia) of Jesus Christ. The word “called” appeared 13 times in 1 Corinthians. In chapter 1 verse 9: we are called to have fellowship with Jesus Christ. If we have only a fellowship with one another and do not have a fellowship of Jesus, we are missing the most important thing. Reading the Bible, having a daily meditation on God’s word, spending time in prayer would be good indicators whether we have a fellowship with Christ.
Reflection Questions:
What is your main take away?
How could you practically improve your identity as a Christian: listener of God, humility, or fellowship with God?
